The test log lay on the floor.
The black file folder looked suspicious at a glance.
Carefully, I picked up the fallen file folder and opened it.
Sure enough, inside was something densely written in Korean.
-Test Log 1-
– First Chimera synthesis. Failed due to excessive cell division.
W-What is this?
Synthesized Chimeras?
Although the photos were blurry and scattered, I could clearly tell.
This was no lie.
Someone had been capturing Chimeras here and conducting experiments.
– More experimental samples needed. Encountered the ruler of Dimension 312.
– Additional Chimera samples secured.
That was all the contents of the file folder.
However, the chill crawling all over my body showed no sign of fading.
Who on earth would commit such a horrific act?
A Korean from another dimension?
Could it really still exist in this world?
Whatever the case, it meant that the situation was continuously unfolding without pause.
First, this island.
It was called Dimension 312.
From this, I could deduce a few facts.
The Tower was a kind of passageway connecting different dimensions.
Just like our dimension and Dimension 10,459 have Towers that have been summoned, there were also places embedded inside Towers.
Next, the unidentified human.
They conducted experiments using Chimeras here.
And in an extremely cruel way.
The Chimeras trapped inside cylinders.
Their original forms were unrecognizable; their shapes no longer remained.
Then why would they commit such acts?
Though many questions remained, there was no way to find answers.
A heavy feeling weighed on me.
Not just because they raised Chimeras.
I was angry simply because innocent living creatures were sacrificed due to one person’s greed.
I searched every nook and cranny, hoping to find traces of the mysterious presence, but there was nothing more.
They must have taken everything they wanted here.
Afterward, they probably sank this fortress into the sea.
Whoever it was, they were truly a despicable person.
Could they still be alive?
The chances were slim, but I couldn’t rule it out.
Someone who experiments with Chimeras could appear anywhere, anytime.
Maybe even hiding nearby, living like a neighbor.
I felt a strange urge to call upon the Five Brothers.
Those Chimeras over there were probably kind friends like ours.
I shook my head to dispel the pointless thoughts.
Let’s bury the dead Chimeras well.
Bowing my head, I silently paid my respects.
There was no reason to stay in a place like this any longer.
Burn it all down.
“Bbyak, I’m counting on you.”
Just as I was about to ask Bbyak for help,
Somi suddenly blocked my way.
Bbyak!
You can use that machine over there?
Bbyak.
Soon, Somi started explaining excitedly.
Yes, this machine has been misused before, but it’s absolutely necessary if we want to fight stronger enemies.
A Chimera synthesis device.
It mixes two different Chimeras and rebirths them as a completely new life form.
In other words, a Chimera.
But here, it failed.
The cells over-divided and ended up dying.
However, Somi’s idea was different.
A scientist’s innovative thought.
Although the method was flawed, it was just a matter of fixing the machine a bit.
It wasn’t about synthesizing Chimeras.
Bbyak!
It was item synthesis.
The principle was similar, but the purpose was completely different.
Haven’t we already been doing that?
We can.
Our genius inventor Somi clearly showed us.
She synthesized a slime baldness lotion and a herb spray to create a hair growth spray.
And not only that.
She combined three different slime types and synthesized Bbyak’s Feather with a floral bracelet.
However, all were within the bounds of common sense.
But there were also cases beyond the norm.
For example, mixing Honey Jelly and a rifle is impossible even for Somi.
How could you combine a weapon and food?
A rifle to eat? A floral bracelet to spray on the head?
Hard to imagine.
But this synthesis device?
It could combine items from completely different categories.
Hmm, listening to Somi’s explanation, it made sense.
The machine itself was blameless, even if the purpose was questionable.
Of course, it still felt uneasy to use casually.
So instead of burning it right away, we decided to find blueprints or disassemble the machine.
Bbyak!
Somi pulled out a spanner from her parts bag.
With a determined look, she started to take the machine apart.
Something incredible is going to be made with this.
***
For the past few days, I mostly spent time at the resort.
Waking up in the morning, climbing the Tower, touring various places, and then relaxing at the resort to heal.
Lately, I got hooked on one thing—fishing.
But not just ordinary fishing.
Item fishing.
As underwater ruins floated up, all sorts of junk began to appear on the sea surface.
I started thinking of it as a kind of cleanup.
But it was actually quite fun.
Using the long fishing rod Somi made, I’d attach a lure and cast toward the items, pulling them in one after another.
The satisfying tug on the line felt thrilling.
Most of what I caught was useless, but the fun was undeniable.
Sometimes, when something snagged on the line, it would come flying up with a splash.
My heart pounding, I’d open the catch.
Most were worthless, but occasionally, there were some usable items.
[Old Cross] An ancient cross imbued with holy power.
[Rusted Silver Arrow] A silver arrow deadly to undead.
[Unknown Fortune Teller’s Jade Ball] An old jade ball showing signs of use by an unknown fortune teller.
[Gold Sword Made by a Craftsman] A gold sword engraved with elaborate patterns. Probably decorative.
Of course, “usable” didn’t mean “good.”
In truth, I didn’t really need any of it.
So why keep fishing?
Pure enjoyment.
Somehow, it was healing.
Today too, after vigorously enjoying item fishing, I returned to the resort.
As I docked the boat in a suitable spot, Dohyun and Seo Rin greeted me.
“Welcome back.”
“You’re back?”
“Yes, but Seo Rin, it’s been a while.”
“Right. Someone handed over all her work and just disappeared.”
Dohyun smiled sheepishly at Seo Rin’s glance.
Actually, there was a personnel change earlier this year.
Seo Rin, who was the supervisor, took over Dohyun’s team leader position.
The youngest team leader in the association’s history.
Her efforts were recognized.
A brilliant player who climbed up to the 40th floor at a young age, perfect gate performance, and flawless work handling.
No one else suited the management role better than Seo Rin.
Thanks to that, Dohyun inherited a lot of pressure.
Not to mention the night shifts and the warning messages to China.
With the whole world watching, there was hardly any time to sleep.
Loads of work piled up, from Tower climbs to gate defense.
Calls from reporters and the press flooded in relentlessly.
So Seo Rin had also come to the resort to take a brief break.
Of course, she wasn’t fully resting, but just being in a peaceful place was enough healing.
Then what about Dohyun?
The former vice president retired due to age, leaving his position vacant.
Naturally, Dohyun got a breakthrough promotion.
So he felt sorry toward Seo Rin.
She was like a daughter’s age and worked so hard.
He felt it was all his fault.
Giving excuses, he even called her to the resort and tried his best to help, but his heart still felt uneasy.
“Well, congratulations to both of you.”
“Ahaha, thank you.”
“Thank you.”
Normally, we would’ve had a full celebration party, but given the times, we promised to do it later.
That was when it happened.
Somi, who had been busy crafting something at the resort, suddenly let out an enthusiastic cheer.
Bbyak!
Somi ran over proudly.
Her white fur was smeared with black grease here and there.
“It’s done, boss!”
Bbyak!
There was a reason Somi was so happy.
The item synthesis device.
It had gone through numerous trials and errors.
Since it was developed as an item for living beings, many obstacles had to be overcome.
Of course, our Somi was no ordinary person.
A genius inventor, an unparalleled prodigy.
Despite many setbacks, she proudly created the item.
Then, we had to try using it right away.
It looked simple.
Three large glass cylinders.
Put different items into each side, and a new item would appear in the middle.
Of course, it didn’t always produce good results.
It was a kind of gamble.
Still, it was definitely worth trying.
After all, there were too many items to test.
I was wondering where to put the useless items I caught, and this worked out perfectly.
Let’s combine them all.
Maybe at least one good item will come out.
Starting with the cross and silver arrow.
Putting the items into both cylinders and pressing the button, a bright light spread out.
What would happen when two useless items combined?
I checked the synthesized item with anticipation.
[Silver Arrow Infused with Holy Aura] A silver arrow that seems to have divine blessing. Extremely lethal to undead monsters but with short range.
Not bad.
It seemed improved, but it didn’t feel like the combination was worth the two items.
Moreover,
Pop!
There was also a failure rate.
If mostly useless items were combined, they usually ended with a small explosion and damage.
Then,
Pop!
This time, I put the jade ball on one side and the gold sword on the other.
These were the highest-grade items I had obtained so far.
Surely something could be expected.
Again, a brilliant light spread out.
A new item I’d never seen before appeared in the center cylinder.
[Mysterious Future-Seeing Orb] A mystical orb that allows the user to see a very short glimpse of the future.
Oh.
Indeed, combining higher-grade items produced something at least usable.
An orb that can see the future.
Shall we try it?
Carefully, I placed my hand on it, and the orb turned transparent.
It seemed like I could see something, but it was too faint.
Only a white place was visible.
Could it be broken?
That’s strange.
If it were broken, the item description would be different.
I wasn’t sure.
Let’s try again.
Show me the future 10 minutes from now.
This time, I said what future I wanted to see and used the orb.
The transparent glass sphere changed color, showing a short glimpse 10 minutes ahead.
A dense green forest.
A familiar place.
Where had I seen this before?
Recently, I think.
At that moment.
Before I could dwell on it, I heard someone calling me urgently.
“Woobin, t-the Black Tower has reappeared in Dimension 10,459…”
It was Silphia.
What could be so urgent that she was running like that?
Panting, Silphia looked at me.
And said,
“The Black Tower has risen again in Dimension 10,459.”
I couldn’t believe what I heard.
The Black Tower in Dimension 10,459 has risen again?
What on earth was going on?